Bobbs-Merrill Company
Samuel Merrill purchased an Indianapolis bookstore on the 3rd of October 1850. He entered the publishing business that same day. The company operated under his name until his death in 1855. His son Samuel Merrill Jr. took over the business immediately after. Soon after the American Civil War ended, the firm became Merrill, Meigs, and Company. In 1883, the name changed again to the Bowen-Merrill Company. Long-time director William Conrad Bobbs led a final rebranding effort. By 1903, the entity was known as the Bobbs-Merrill Company. From 1899 through 1909, the publisher released sixteen novels. Each title ranked among the nation's top ten best-selling books for at least one year.
The Supreme Court heard Bobbs-Merrill Co. v. Straus in 1908. This case involved 210 U.S. 339. Bobbs-Merrill served as the plaintiff in this landmark legal battle. The court ruling established what is now called the first-sale doctrine. This principle allows owners of copyrighted items to resell them without permission from the copyright holder. The decision shaped how publishers and retailers interacted with physical goods. It remains a foundational concept in American copyright law today. The case originated when the company sued a department store for selling its books below the listed price.
Evelyn Copelman illustrated a new edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1944. The book was reprinted as The Wizard of Oz and The New Wizard of Oz. Her artwork drew heavy influence from the 1939 Judy Garland MGM film version. This approach diverged significantly from W. W. Denslow's original 1900 illustrations. Book credits listed Copelman as the artist despite the visual similarities to the movie. The year 1949 marked when her illustrations first appeared alongside the film's first re-release. Bobbs-Merrill also published twenty-seven titles in the Raggedy Ann series. These books became staples of American children's literature during the mid-twentieth century.
The firm served as the primary publisher for Indiana state laws. They produced codified statutes for other U.S. states as well. School textbooks formed another major segment of their business portfolio. Philosophical texts received dedicated attention within their catalog. The Library of Liberal Arts represented one such educational division. Selected College Division titles continued under Macmillan after the company closed. The Indianapolis News reported on the firm's impending closure on the 19th of April 1985. Eric B. Schoch wrote about the shutdown in The Indianapolis Star that same day. Their legal publications remained a steady revenue stream throughout the twentieth century.
Howard W. Sams Company purchased Bobbs-Merrill in 1959. This acquisition shifted ownership away from the Merrill family legacy. Macmillan acquired Howard W. Sams Company in 1985. Following this takeover, the Bobbs-Merrill name ceased regular use. Exceptions included continued sales of the Fifth Revision of The Joy of Cooking. That book remained a steady seller for Macmillan for years afterward. The company officially stopped operations after the 1985 transaction. Archives at the Lilly Library preserve papers from 1885 to 1957. These documents offer insight into decades of publishing history and corporate evolution.
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Common questions
When did Samuel Merrill purchase the Indianapolis bookstore that became Bobbs-Merrill Company?
Samuel Merrill purchased an Indianapolis bookstore on the 3rd of October 1850. He entered the publishing business that same day and operated under his name until his death in 1855.
What legal doctrine was established by the Supreme Court case Bobbs-Merrill Co. v. Straus in 1908?
The court ruling established what is now called the first-sale doctrine. This principle allows owners of copyrighted items to resell them without permission from the copyright holder.
Which authors published major works under the Bobbs-Merrill imprint during the early twentieth century?
Ayn Rand, James Whitcomb Riley, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Irma S. Rombauer, L. Frank Baum, and Erving Goffman all appeared in their catalog. The company also released books by Keith Ayling, Richard Halliburton, David Markson, and Walter Dean Myers.
Who illustrated the new edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz published by Bobbs-Merrill in 1944?
Evelyn Copelman illustrated a new edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1944. Her artwork drew heavy influence from the 1939 Judy Garland MGM film version and diverged significantly from W. W. Denslow's original 1900 illustrations.
When did the Bobbs-Merrill Company officially stop operations after being acquired by Macmillan?
The company officially stopped operations after the 1985 transaction when Macmillan acquired Howard W. Sams Company. The Indianapolis News reported on the firm's impending closure on the 19th of April 1985.